Toni Kroos don step away from pitch and media spotlight since he hang up him boots, but him name still ring bell for Real Madrid and for anybody wey love football. The former Germany midfielder leave big legacy during him years for Spanish club. Him influence pass white lines too, reach members of Ancelotti family wey watch one of most successful periods for Real Madrid history unfold up close.
Davide Ancelotti, son of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, don heap praise on Kroos. The young Ancelotti talk to Spanish newspaper AS. He say Kroos na one of most influential players he meet for Real Madrid. The way he describe am catch Kroos attention. Davide say: ‘He was the master of the game.’
He explain say Kroos control rhythm of match and play am the way he want. ‘He controlled the tempo of the game and made it be played the way he wanted,’ Davide tell AS. He call Kroos fundamental player, and talk say the German cover plenty ground. Toni used to cover around 11 kilometres in a single match, and he carry out him defensive duties as well.
Davide also talk say he love Kroos when he play as defensive midfielder. ‘I loved him when he played as a No. 6,’ he yarn. E no hide say Kroos prefer attacking midfield role, but Kroos go leave difficult tasks to defensive midfielder, whether na Camavinga or Casemiro.
Kroos no let Davide remarks slip by. The young Italian coach words soon reach former Germany international, and he quick share them on him official Instagram account. A single heart emoji na all he add to the post. The gesture simple but e talk plenty, showing how much he value Davide words and the way he capture him role for pitch.
Davide Ancelotti also point to how hard Kroos be to replace. He insist say loss of player of him calibre leave clear mark on team dynamics. ‘For Real Madrid’s dynamics, his departure was extremely difficult,’ Davide say.
Kroos, one of finest midfielders for Real Madrid history, play pivotal role in trophies club lift under Carlo Ancelotti before he call time on him career. He retire in 2024 after illustrious 10-year spell with Los Blancos. Across 10 years at Real Madrid, Kroos win Champions League five times with Los Blancos among other honours. Him departure, along with loss of Luka Modric, who now play for AC Milan at 41, is repeatedly cited as factor in Real sporting problems in recent past.
Davide Ancelotti, now 37, dey cut him teeth on new chapter in management with French club Lille. Having learn plenty alongside him father at Real Madrid, he dey set out to write him own story away from shadow of him dad glittering coaching career.
Real Madrid never compensate for loss of Toni Kroos even years after him departure, if you ask Davide Ancelotti opinion. He believe say e no possible to replace former midfield orchestrator. He talk about Kroos style: ‘He was not necessarily someone who went after second balls or challenges. He preferred to play as a number eight because he left the dirty work to the number six.’
Ancelotti talk say for Real Madrid style of play, e inevitably very difficult to lose Toni. The team suddenly lost a great deal. He also talk about current central midfield, featuring players like Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler. He say dem bring different qualities.
‘I do not want everything I say about Real Madrid to be understood as criticism,’ Ancelotti talk. But when Modric or Kroos dey pitch, ball find him way to team-mate with every run in behind. He no want deny current players that ability, but vertical play require someone wey know how to get ball to you.
Since Carlo Ancelotti departure, Los Blancos don go through several coaching changes. After Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, Jose Mourinho don already be third coach on Real Madrid touchline within a year. Over past two seasons, Los Blancos also fail to win major title, managing only smaller honours like 2024 UEFA Super Cup and 2024 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. For LaLiga, dem most recently dey beaten each time by arch-rivals Barcelona. This season too, gap to Catalans already six points.
